churches Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Pittsburgh Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographer

Epiphany Catholic Church

March 21, 2009/by kmiller

Epiphany Catholic Church was my last stop of the day. It’s the big church by the Mellon Arena at the edge of Pittsburgh’s Hill District. This church was in danger of being torn down to make space for a new casino and arena, but was saved as it’s designated as a National Historic Landmark. One unfortunate thing about this church is that it smells like a fish fry, or at least it did while I was there—during lent on a Saturday, so it’s likely that it just needed to be aired out from the previous day. A very kind member of the church showed me how to get up to the organ and choir loft. This staircase to the loft has nice directional light and graceful curves. I think it was my favorite find in this historic church.

Stairway horizontal

St. Paul’s Cathedral

March 21, 2009/by kmiller

I arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland after the scheduled time for confessions and prayer in the sanctuary as planned. I was concerned when the lights were turned off and I saw a priest leaving the building. I asked the priest if the lights could be turned on again and he was not willing because no one would be around to turn them off again. This was a bummer because I would have scheduled at another time when I knew the lights would be on for sure. Despite the low light, there were a few photos that worked out better than expected. I was taking high dynamic range photos again and I think that really helped because I could bring out some of the detail in the shadows when tone mapping the merged images.

Heinz Chapel

March 21, 2009/by kmiller

When I arrived at Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus in Oakland, there was a memorial service that was just coming to a close. The chapel is non-denominational and a popular site for weddings, that in most cases, requires bookings very far in advance. It’s easy to see why, the chapel is very dramatic in neo-Gothic style with gorgeous stained glass windows and an intricate, carved stone structure.

St. Stanislaus Kostka

March 21, 2009/by kmiller

I went to St. Stanislaus Kostka in the Strip District on the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day and every good Pittsburgher knows that Saturday is the day when you can find beer at breakfast and more revelry than most would bargain for in Market Square. I made the mistake of scheduling four churches that day. After finding a parking spot near the church, a near miracle in itself, I decided to stick with the plan. And I’m glad I did—these churches are beautiful.

St. Stanislaus is a Polish Catholic church and the structure is roughly 117 years old. The church has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark and is located at one end of the main stretch of market vendors on Smallman Street. According to a helpful staff member who took some time to show me around, the church hired a lighting designer about a year ago and all lighting fixtures were replaced and special ceramic halide lights were installed on the columns to illuminate the murals on the ceiling with a neutral light made to mimic daylight. Although, I think it made a striped pattern that is only visible in photos. I definitely didn’t notice the striping while at the church.

First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh

March 20, 2009/by kmiller

First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh has a very high church feel to it. My first clue to the formality of this church was overhearing a sister address the church secretary with a Miss preceding her first name. Despite the formality, there were certain aspects of the church interior that caught my attention. This prayer rail and kneeling cushion at the altar seem to be welcoming and reverent at the same time.

This communion chalice, with the artwork of Christ in the background, is presented in such a pristine condition that I am reminded of God’s purity and ultimate sacrifice for us. It’s really difficult for us to be mindful of just what God did for us by offering up his son as a sacrifice to cover our sins. That’s what communion is all about – remembering the ultimate sacrifice.